They only clubbed their
pocket money to clothe and pay the schooling of one little orphan,
who acknowledged them by a succession of the lowest bobs as she
trotted past, proud as Margery Twoshoes herself of the distinction
of being substantially shod.
The church was small, and with few pretensions to architecture at the
best. It had been nearly a ruin, when, stirred by the Major, the
church-wardens had taken it in hand, so that, owing to Richard Stokes
and John Ball, as they permanently declared in yellow letters on a
blue ground, the congregation were no longer in danger of the roof
admitting the rain or coming down on the congregation. They had
further beautified the place with a huge board of the royal arms, and
with Moses and Aaron in white cauliflower wigs presiding over the
tables of the Commandments. Four long dark, timber pews and numerous
benches, ruthlessly constructed out of old carvings, occupied the
aisle, and the chancel was more than half filled with the lofty
"closet" of the Great House family. Hither the Delavie family betook
themselves, and on her way Betty was startled by the recognition, in
the seat reserved for the servants, of a broad back and curled wig
that could belong to no one but Jonah Dove. She did her utmost to
keep her mind from dwelling on what this might portend, though she
followed the universal custom by exchanging nods and curtsies with
the Duckworth family as she sailed up the aisle at the head of the
little procession.
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